Dog owners take advantage of microchipping events in East Northants

Stephanie Weaver

More than 30 dog owners took advantage of a microchipping event ahead of a change in the law.

On April 6 this year, it became law to have your dog microchipped and not doing this could lead to a £500 fine.

In a bid to help owners and make them aware of the change in the law, East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) offered free microchipping to any dogs that took part in their ‘5000 Paws’ dog walking challenge in March.

With help from Wood Green, The Animals Charity, 32 dogs and their owners completed the challenge at Stanwick Lakes and Barnwell Country Park with the dogs being microchipped there and then.

ENC’s Green Dog Club also welcomed 43 new members whose details are stored to help reunite stray dogs with their owners more quickly.

Environmental services manager Charlotte Tompkins said: “We urge all dog owners to get their dog microchipped for their own piece of mind and to save larger costs picked up by ENC.

“Each stray dog found in East Northants costs us £250.

“We can spend many hours recovering a stray and taking it to kennels.

“If a dog is not claimed within the week, ENC pays for all the kennelling costs as well so potentially each stray could cost nearly £400.”